Design Principles | Task 1: Exploration

06.02.2024 - 21.02.2024 / Week 1 - Week 3
Khu Ying Ying / 0357306
Design Principles / GCD60804 / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media
Task 1: Exploration

TABLE OF CONTENTS







INSTRUCTIONS

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TASK 1: EXPLORATION

Week 1 (06/02/2024)

Requirements:
  1. Recap the design principles listed: Gestalt Theory, Contrast, Emphasis, Balance, Repetition, Movement, Harmony & Unity, Symbol, Word & Image.
  2. Pick & briefly describe 1 goal from the United Nations’Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG).
  3. Select an existing art/design work that revolves around that goal of your choice. Below the image, include the credit line of the art/design work (title of art/design work, artist's/designer's name, year, size, medium, source link). Provide as complete as possible.
  4. Explain in about 100-150 words, why you chose that design about the UNSDG goal and list the design principles you observed in that design.


Progress:

1. Recap The Design Principles

Gestalt Theory:
In German, the meaning of Gestalt Theory refers to "shape"/"form". Normally, it refers to the rules that describe how the eye perceives visual elements. The function is to reduce complex scenes to simple shapes and explain how the eyes perceive the shapes as a single form. There are 6 principles in Gestalt Theory, which are Principle of Similarity, Principle of Continuation, Principle of Closure Principle of Proximity, Principle of Figure, and Law of Symmetry & Order.
Figure T1.1: Gestalt Theory - Principle of Similarity, Week 1 (06/02/2024)
Explanation: It used the same form but different colors in the design.

Contrast:
The meaning of Contrast is the juxtaposition of strongly dissimilar elements. The function is to provide visual interest, emphasize a point & express content.
Figure T1.2: Contrast - Art by Jesse Robertson, Week 1 (06/02/2024)
Explanation: The black cat contrasts with the flowers (colourful background).

Emphasis:
The function of Emphasis is to create dominance & focus in a design work. The elements used to create emphasis are colour, shape, and value.
Figure T1.3: Emphasis - Art by Stephen Maurice Graham, Week 1 (06/02/2024)
Explanation: Using yellow colour to contrast the main character with blue colour.

Balance: 
The meaning of Balance is the visual equilibrium of the elements causing the total image to appear balanced. Symmetrical Balance has equal "weight" on equal sides of a centrally placed fulcrum; Asymmetrical Balance (Informal Balance) has unequal visual weight on each side of the composition to make the design work look more dynamic and interesting.
Figure T1.4: Balance - Symmetrical Balance - Art by Walter Crane, Week 1  (06/02/2024)
Explanation: The swans were arranged in a way that they were mirror images of each other on the central axis.

Repetition:
The function of Repetition is to make the design work seem active with variety. Besides that, it creates rhythm & pattern within the design work which can increase visual excitement by enriching surface interest.
Figure T1.5: Repetition - Art by Giuditta Bertoni, Week 1 (06/02/2024)
Explanation: The flowers and plants were repeated in the artwork.

Movement:
The meaning of Movement is the visual flow that guides the eye within, around, and through a composition. It occurs when objects seem to be moving in a visual image and come from the kinds of shapes, forms, lines, and curves.
Figure T1.6: Movement - Art by Erin Hanson, Week 1 (06/02/2024)
Explanation: Using the lines to create the water movement.

Harmony & Unity:
The meaning of Harmony is the sense that all of the elements of the design fit together. Then, the meaning of Unity is the repetition of particular elements like colours and shapes, it occurs when the elements are composed in a sense of oneness and balance.
Figure T1.7: Harmony & Unity, Week 1 (06/02/2024)
Explanation: The repetition of fish and colours was composed in a sense of oneness as a unity, which makes the design fit together in a sense of harmony too.

Symbol:
In the Cambridge Dictionary (2020), the Symbol refers to a sign, shape, or object that is used to represent something else. In design, symbols can provide information or a whole story.
Figure T1.8: Symbol, Week 1 (06/02/2024)
Explanation: Yin represents dark, such as the moon; Yang represents bright, such as the sun.

Word & Image:
The meaning of Word & Image is using suitable typography and images in design to convey a message/concept.
Figure T1.9: Word & Image - Movie Poster: John Wick 2, Week 1 (06/02/2024)
Explanation: The focal points in this movie poster were the main character - John Wick and the movie title - John Wick: Chapter 2. 


2. Chosen UNSDG Goal

I briefly went through the 17 goals from the UNSDG, and I found out there were 4 goals that were quite interesting to me: 
  • 13 - Climate Action 
  • 14 - Life Below Water 
  • 15 - Life On Land
  • 16 - Peace, Justice, And Strong Institutions 
I searched for some info on Google about the UNSDG goals, and then I wrote them down in my notes with my tablet. To get a better understanding, I also used ChatGPT as a help tool to summarise the goals.
Figure T1.10: Notes, Week 1 (06/02/2024)

Description: I chose 16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions as my chosen goal from UNSDG 17 goals. In brief, the goal is to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, ensure equal access to justice, and develop efficient, trustworthy, and inclusive institutions at all levels.


References:
Learn More About Climate Action | SDG Help Desk. 
SDG 13: Climate Action
SDG 14 - Life below water - Statistics Explained


Week 2 (14/02/2024)

3. Chosen Artwork

Figure T2.1: Liberty Leading The People by Eugenè Delacroix (1830), Week 2 (14/02/2024)

Artist's Name: Eugenè Delacroix
Year: 1830
Size: 260 cm x 325 cm
Medium: Oil Paint
UNSDG: 16 - Peace, Justice, And Strong Institutions

Description: I chose this artwork because it reflected the painting itself, capturing the chaos and excitement of the revolutionary moment, which I believed matched my chosen goal: 16 - Peace, Justice, And Strong Institutions. In short, this painting recalled the July Revolution in Paris in 1830. It symbolized the ideals of liberty, by taking the restored Bourbon King Charles X from the throne. In my point of view, the characters in the painting deserve praise for their bravery and settle to change their destiny via their actions. Furthermore, the painting leading to a variety of people represents the aim of justice and equality in society. It serves as a reminder of the power of everyone working together to shape a more equitable and just society. At last, "Liberty Leading the People" highlights the ongoing struggle for freedom, justice, and societal transformation, leading audiences to consider the value of working together to create a better future for humanity. (155 words)


Design Principles Observed:
  1. Contrast - Using darker colour to contrast out the liberty (the woman).
  2. Emphasis - Using brighter colour as the focal point to stand out from the painting.
  3. Movement - Dynamic pose to express a sense of momentum and urgency.


FEEDBACKS

Week 2 (14/02/2024)

Specific Feedback: 
It's better to find an artist with a background so it would be easier to refer back. Besides that, need to explain the reason for choosing the goal and the artwork.

General Feedback: 
Maybe change the current goal (14 - Life Below Water) to (16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). Try not to use ChatGPT for findings. 


Week 3 (21/02/2024)

Specific Feedback: 
Change the reference list to shorter because they looked messy. (e.g. put a reference link on the website title)

General Feedback: 
Task 1 is ok, can proceed to Task 2: Visual Analysis.


REFLECTIONS

Experience:
I'm familiar with the design principles from the lecture notes because I learned them during my Foundation in Design, I just need to recap back by putting the notes in the exercise (which is beneficial to me because I can't recall some of the design principles). 

Observation:
Maybe try to pick an uncommon topic to avoid the same with the others guess so...

Findings:
Try not to over-rely on ChatGPT, but can use it in a good way.


QUICK LINKS

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